social security

noun

1

: the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family

especially, Social Security : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

2

: money paid out through a social security program

began collecting social security

Examples of social security in a Sentence

She is living on social security.

He began collecting Social Security checks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Andersson’s name and social security number matched the address that was held on record by the Swedish tax agency. —Sarah Dean, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025

Hailed as a generous benefactor, Puente, then in her 50s, was in reality murdering her boarders and continuing to cash their social security checks. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025

Recommended What Trump’s return says about this moment in America While spending on the military and flashy infrastructure projects continues to rise, China’s already frail social security system is teetering, with increasing numbers of Chinese refusing to pay into the underfunded pension system. —Christopher Bodeen, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Jan. 2025

Puente murdered several of her tenants over the years and collected their social security checks, according to local KGPE. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

social security

noun

1

: the idea or system by which the public provides for the security of individuals and their families

2

capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

Legal Definition

social security

noun

1

: the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family

especially, often capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

2

: money paid out through a social security program

collects social security

see also Social Security Act, Social Security Administration